The Lemon Index2003 Nissan Sentra.
The 2003 Nissan Sentra is better than average by owner complaints: 49 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 61, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 22 to 28 mpg combined. The best Nissan Sentra year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 180 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Sentra year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 99K miles on the car (136 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 44K–94K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 21K–107K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2022
Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2020
In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- airbags 2020
The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2015
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- engine 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS.
- engine 2003
ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.
- engine 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX…
- electrical 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rattle noise from the swirl control valve on vehicles with qg18de engine and california emissions
- Alternator noise after engine shut off.*mr
- Alternator drive belt noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle loses power when going up an incline at 65 to 70 mph.
2003 Nissan Sentra owner · NHTSA complaint 10074150
More owner reports
Dt*: the contact stated the engine burned 3/ 4 of oil in the tank every 2000 miles. The service dealer replaced two engines and changed an oil block to try to fix the issue, but the oil consumption has continued.
NHTSA complaint 10171439
While driving the light, horn and hazard lights failed. The dealer is aware of the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10009834
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Sentra year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan Sentra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (39%), electrical (18%) and fuel system, gasoline (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Sentra have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Sentra get?
22 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Sentra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,700 and 99,800 miles. The middle report was at 69,000 miles, from 136 complaints.
Does the 2003 Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Nissan Sentra cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Nissan Sentra have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Sentra year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2017 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works